Tailgate advertising apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

A tailgate advertising assembly includes a tailgate and a billboard. The tailgate is for attachment to a rear of a vehicle so as to be moved between a closed position and an open position as for loading and unloading, and has an upper extremity, a lower extremity, opposing side extremities, an inner face, and an outer face. The billboard is engaged to the tailgate, and overlies the outer face of the tailgate. The billboard supports advertising indicia.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to advertising systems and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To advertise is to make something known for the purpose of arousing thedesire to buy or patronize goods or services. The key ingredient foreffective advertising is matching an appropriate target audience withspecific goods or services. Not every audience will buy or patronizeevery good or service. Accordingly, having an understanding of thedemographics, culture, needs and social-economic base of a givenaudience can mark the difference between effective and ineffectiveadvertising.

Most advertising incorporates press, magazine, billboard, radio andtelevision exposure, which together comprise traditional advertisingchannels. Most business concerns, both large and small, usually budgetadvertising expenses to include one or more of the traditionaladvertising channels. Advertising is an investment. However, businessowners often invest little attention toward identifying a potentiallyquantifiable return on advertising expenditures. This is likely due tothe fact that it is difficult, if not impossible, to quantify a returnfrom an investment into traditional advertising channels. In view ofthese and other deficiencies in the art of advertising, the need forcertain new and useful improvements in the field of advertising isevident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above problems and others are at least partially solved and theabove purposes and others realized in a tailgate advertising assemblyincluding a tailgate and an attached billboard. The tailgate is forattachment to a rear of a vehicle so as to be moved between a closedposition and an open position as for loading and unloading. The tailgatehas an upper extremity, a lower extremity, opposing side extremities, aninner face, and an outer face. The billboard is attached to, andoverlies the outer face of, the tailgate. The billboard consists of amedia insert disposed between a backing and a cover, in which thebacking is substantially rigid and the cover is transparent permittingthe media insert to be viewed therethrough. The backing and the coverare substantially coextensive defining a perimeter having a frameattached thereto. Engagement structures are attached to the tailgate,which secure the billboard to the tailgate. In a particular embodiment,the engagement structures consist of a first engagement structure and asecond engagement structure. The first engagement structure, in thisparticular embodiment, is a fixture having a proximal extremity engagedto the upper extremity of the tailgate and a distal extremity engaged tothe billboard. Further to this embodiment, the second engagementstructure consists of at least one bracket having a proximal extremityengaged to the lower extremity of the tailgate and a distal extremityengaged to the billboard. A tailgate latch handle is pivoted to thetailgate, and a fixture handle is pivoted to the fixture. The fixturehandle is coupled to the tailgate latch handle, in which the tailgatelatch handle pivots in response to pivoting of the fixture handle,permitting the tailgate to be opened and closed. Preferably, a cordfunctions to couple the fixture handle to the tailgate latch handle, thecord having an end engaged to the fixture handle and an opposing endengaged to the tailgate latch handle. A portion of the cord intermediatethe ends thereof is threaded over at least one attached pulley. In aparticular embodiment, the billboard overlies substantially all of theouter face of the tailgate. It is to be understood that the billboardcan be sized for overlying a selected portion of the outer face of thetailgate. In still a further embodiment, there is a pole having aproximal end engaged to the fixture and a distal end having a flagattached thereto.

Another apparatus consists of a tailgate advertising assembly includinga tailgate, first engagement structure, second engagement structure anda billboard. In this embodiment, the tailgate is for attachment to arear of a vehicle so as to be moved between a closed position and anopen position as for loading and unloading, in which the tailgate has anupper extremity, a lower extremity, opposing side extremities, an innerface, and an outer face. The first engagement structure is attached tothe upper extremity of the tailgate, the second engagement structure isattached to the lower extremity of the tailgate, and the billboard,secured by the first engagement structure and the second engagementstructure, overlies the outer face of the tailgate. The billboardconsists of a media insert disposed between a backing and a cover, inwhich the backing is substantially rigid and the cover is transparentpermitting the media insert to be viewed therethrough. The backing andthe cover are substantially coextensive defining a perimeter having aframe attached thereto. The first engagement structure is a fixturehaving a proximal extremity engaged to the upper extremity of thetailgate and a distal extremity engaged to the billboard. The secondengagement structure consists of at least one bracket having a proximalextremity engaged to the lower extremity of the tailgate and a distalextremity engaged to the billboard. A tailgate latch handle is pivotedto the tailgate, and a fixture handle is pivoted to the fixture. Thefixture handle is coupled to the tailgate latch handle, in which thetailgate latch handle pivots in response to pivoting of the fixturehandle, permitting the tailgate to be opened and closed. Preferably, acord functions to couple the fixture handle to the tailgate latchhandle, the cord having an end engaged to the fixture handle and anopposing end engaged to the tailgate latch handle. A portion of the cordintermediate the ends thereof is threaded over at least one attachedpulley. In a particular embodiment, the billboard overlies substantiallyall of the outer face of the tailgate. It is to be understood that thebillboard can be sized for overlying a selected portion of the outerface of the tailgate. In still a further embodiment, there is a polehaving a proximal end engaged to the fixture and a distal end having aflag attached thereto.

Yet another apparatus embodiment consists of a tailgate advertisingassembly including a tailgate furnished with a tailgate latch handle, afixture, engagement structure, a billboard and a fixture handle. Thetailgate is for attachment to a rear of a vehicle so as to be movedbetween a closed position and an open position as for loading andunloading, in which the tailgate having an upper extremity, a lowerextremity, opposing side extremities, an inner face, an outer face, andthe tailgate latch handle, which is pivoted to the tailgate. The fixtureis attached to the upper extremity of the tailgate, the engagementstructure is attached to the lower extremity of the tailgate, and thebillboard, secured by the fixture and the engagement structure, overliesthe outer face of the tailgate. The fixture handle is pivoted to thefixture, and the fixture handle is coupled to the tailgate latch handle,in which the tailgate latch handle pivots in response to pivoting of thefixture handle. Preferably, a cord functions to couple the fixturehandle to the tailgate latch handle, the cord having an end engaged tothe fixture handle and an opposing end engaged to the tailgate latchhandle. A portion of the cord intermediate the ends thereof is threadedover at least one attached pulley. The billboard consists of a mediainsert disposed between a backing and a cover, in which the backing issubstantially rigid and the cover is transparent permitting the mediainsert to be viewed therethrough. The backing and the cover aresubstantially coextensive defining a perimeter having a frame attachedthereto. The fixture has a proximal extremity engaged to the upperextremity of the tailgate and a distal extremity engaged to thebillboard. The engagement structure consists of at least one brackethaving a proximal extremity engaged to the lower extremity of thetailgate and a distal extremity engaged to the billboard. In aparticular embodiment, the billboard overlies substantially all of theouter face of the tailgate. It is to be understood that the billboardcan be sized for overlying a selected portion of the outer face of thetailgate. In still a further embodiment, there is a pole having aproximal end engaged to the fixture and a distal end having a flagattached thereto.

Yet still another apparatus embodiment consists of a tailgateadvertising assembly including a tailgate for attachment to a rear of avehicle so as to be moved between a closed position and an open positionas for loading and unloading, the tailgate having an upper extremity, alower extremity, opposing side extremities, an inner face, and an outerface. Further to this embodiment is a fixture having a proximalextremity engaged to and overlying the upper extremity of the tailgateand a distal extremity projecting outboard of the outer face of thetailgate, and at least one bracket having a proximal extremity engagedto the lower extremity of the tailgate and a distal extremity projectingoutboard of the outer face of the tailgate. A billboard, having an upperextremity engaged to the distal extremity of the fixture and a lowerextremity engaged to the distal extremity of the bracket, overlies theouter face of the tailgate. A tailgate latch handle is pivoted to thetailgate, a fixture handle is pivoted to the fixture, and the fixturehandle is coupled to the tailgate latch handle, in which the tailgatelatch handle pivots in response to pivoting of the fixture handle.Preferably, a cord functions to couple the fixture handle to thetailgate latch handle, the cord having an end engaged to the fixturehandle and an opposing end engaged to the tailgate latch handle. Aportion of the cord intermediate the ends thereof is threaded over atleast one attached pulley. The billboard consists of a media insertdisposed between a backing and a cover, in which the backing issubstantially rigid and the cover is transparent permitting the mediainsert to be viewed therethrough. The backing and the cover aresubstantially coextensive defining a perimeter having a frame attachedthereto. In a particular embodiment, the billboard overliessubstantially all of the outer face of the tailgate. It is to beunderstood that the billboard can be sized for overlying a selectedportion of the outer face of the tailgate. In still a furtherembodiment, there is a pole having a proximal end engaged to the fixtureand a distal end having a flag attached thereto.

A further embodiment of the invention consists of an advertisingassembly for a tailgate for attachment to a rear of a vehicle so as tobe moved between a closed position and an open position as for loadingand unloading, the tailgate having an upper extremity, a lowerextremity, opposing side extremities, an inner face, an outer face, anda pivotally attached tailgate latch handle. The advertising assembly inthis embodiment, includes a fixture having a proximal extremity adaptedto overly and to be removably engaged to the upper extremity of thetailgate, engagement structure adapted to be removably engaged to thelower extremity of the tailgate, and a billboard having an upperextremity adapted to be removably engaged to the fixture and a lowerextremity adapted to be removably engaged to the engagement structure,disposing the billboard so as to overly the outer face of the tailgate.A fixture handle is pivoted to the fixture. A cord is provided having anend engaged to the fixture handle and an opposing second end adapted tobe removably engaged to the tailgate latch handle. A portion of the cordbetween its ends is adapted to be threaded over at least one pulleyattached to the fixture. The billboard consists of a media insertdisposed between a backing and a cover, in which the backing issubstantially rigid and the cover is transparent permitting the mediainsert to be viewed therethrough. The backing and the cover aresubstantially coextensive defining a perimeter having a frame attachedthereto. The engagement structure consists of at least one brackethaving a proximal extremity adapted to be removably engaged to the lowerextremity of the tailgate and a distal extremity adapted to be removablyengaged to the lower extremity of the billboard. A pole has a proximalend adapted to be removably engaged to the fixture and a distal endhaving a flag attached thereto.

Consistent with the foregoing and the ensuing specification, which aretaken together, the invention contemplates associated apparatus andmethod embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tailgate advertising assemblyincluding a fixture and brackets securing a billboard to a tailgate forattachment to a rear of a vehicle, in accordance with the principle ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is enlarged fragmented perspective view of the assembly of FIG.1, illustrating a fixture handle coupled to a tailgate latch handle withan attachment element;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view of the assembly of FIG.1, illustrating the attachment of the fixture to the tailgate;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view of the assembly of FIG.1, illustrating an embodiment of a bracket attaching a lower extremityof the billboard to the tailgate;

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the bracketembodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmented view of the assembly of FIG. 1,illustrating the attachment of the billboard to the fixture, in whichportions of the tailgate are shown in phantom outline for illustrativepurposes;

FIG. 9 is a fragmented exploded view of the billboard of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmented vertical sectional view of the billboard of theassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view of another embodiment ofa bracket for use in attaching a lower extremity of the billboard ofFIG. 1 to the tailgate;

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of the bracketembodiment of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a device for taking up slack in a tailgate cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicatecorresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is firstdirected to FIG. 1 in which is seen a tailgate advertising assembly,embodying the principle of the instant invention, generally indicated bythe reference character 10 including a tailgate 11 and a billboard 12attached thereto. Tailgate 11 is for attachment to a rear of a vehicleso as to be moved between a closed position closing a storage area andan open position opening a storage area as for loading and unloading.Tailgate 11 is rectangular in shape, and has an upper extremity 14(FIGS. 1-5), a lower extremity 15 (FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6), a sideextremity 16 (FIGS. 1, 3, and 4) and an opposing side extremities 17(FIG. 3), an inner face 18 (FIGS. 1, and 4-6), an opposing outer face 19(FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-6), and a tailgate latch handle 20 (FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 2, tailgate latch handle 20 is pivoted to tailgate 11intermediate side extremities 16,17 (not shown in FIG. 2) proximateupper extremity 14, and is disposed at outer face 19, although it can bedisposed at inner face 18, if desired. Tailgate latch handle 20 ispivoted to tailgate 11 in a conventional manner, and functions tooperate a corresponding latch mechanism for securing tailgate 11 in itsclosed position so as to enclose a storage area and disengaging tailgate11 from its closed position permitting it to be opened for gainingaccess to a storage area. This is a conventional and well-knownarrangement. Looking to FIG. 1, a tailgate cable 21 is secured to sideextremity 16 of tailgate 11 in a conventional manner, which is used tohelp secure tailgate 11 to a vehicle in a conventional manner. Althoughnot shown, a similar tailgate cable is provided with side extremity 17.In a typical installation, tailgate 11 is mounted to the rear of avehicle for pivotal movement at its lower extremity 15, and is capableof being pivoted between a closed position closing a storage area at therear of the vehicle and an open positioning opening the storage area atthe rear of the vehicle. Vehicles including tailgates, such as tailgate11, include pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, etc. Tailgate 11 canbe pivoted at either of its side extremities 16,17, if desire, and thismanner of attachment is employed with the tailgate many different typesof recreational vehicles.

Set forth for purposes of orientation and reference in connection withthe ensuing detailed description of the preferred embodiment of theinstant invention, the foregoing brief description of tailgate 11 isintended to be generally representative of a typical tailgate forattachment to a rear of a vehicle so as to be moved between a closedposition closing a storage area, such as the bed of pickup or theinterior of a vehicle, and an open position opening a storage area asfor loading and unloading. Details not specifically illustrated anddescribed will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled inthe art.

Referring to FIG. 1, billboard 12 is attached to, and overlies outerface 19 of, tailgate 11, and is for use in supporting advertisementindicia for the purpose of conveying an advertising message toonlookers. Like tailgate 11, billboard 12 is generally rectangular inshape, and defines opposing upper and lower ends or extremities 24,25,and opposing side ends or extremities 26,27. In the immediateembodiment, billboard 12 is substantially coextensive with tailgate 11and overlies or otherwise confronts substantially all of the surfacearea of outer face 19 of tailgate 11, in which upper extremity 24 ofbillboard 12 is disposed adjacent and alongside upper extremity 14 oftailgate 11, lower extremity 25 of billboard 12 is disposed adjacent andalongside lower extremity 15 of tailgate 11, side extremity 26 ofbillboard 12 is disposed adjacent and alongside side extremity 16 oftailgate 11, and side extremity 27 of billboard 12 is disposed adjacentand alongside side extremity 17 of tailgate 11, and this aspect isreadily depicted in FIG. 3. It is to be understood that billboard 12 canbe sized for overlying or otherwise confronting a selected portion ofthe outer face of the tailgate, such as substantially the entire surfacearea of outer face 19, approximately half of the surface area of outerface 19, less than half the surface area of outer face 19, etc.Billboard 12 is designed to carry advertising for conveying a selectingadvertising message to onlookers.

Turning to FIG. 9, billboard 12 is an assembly, which consists of amedia insert 30 disposed between a backing 31 and a cover 32, in whichbacking 31 is substantially rigid and cover 32 is transparent permittingmedia insert 30 to be viewed therethrough. Backing 31 is fashioned ofwood, plastic, metal or other substantially rigid material orcombination of materials, as is either integrally formed or fashioned asan assembly of two or more parts. Cover 32 is fashioned of transparentplastic, but it can be fashioned of transparent glass or othertransparent material or combination of materials. Like backing 31, cover32 can be integrally formed or fashioned as an assembly of two or moreparts.

Backing 31 and cover 32 are flat, sheet-like elements, and aresubstantially coextensive and together define a perimeter of billboard12, generally denoted at 33, which extends into and is coupled by aframe 34, which is continuous and extends along perimeter 33, much likea picture frame. Preferably, the attachment between frame 34 andperimeter 33 is substantially water-tight, inhibiting water frommigrating into the billboard assembly. Backing 31 and cover 32 aresecured by frame 34, in which media insert 30 is disposed therebetweenand which supports advertising indicia that can be viewed through cover32. Media insert is fashioned of paper, cardboard, plastic, etc., inwhich the advertising indicia is applied thereto in any desired manner,whether by way of printing, adhesive application, etc. In the immediateembodiment, media insert 30 is substantially coextensive with backing 31and cover 32, although it can be of lesser size. If desired, billboard12 can also incorporate a spacer insert 35 between media insert 30 andbacking 31. Spacer insert 35 is constructed of corkboard or othersimilar material, and is preferably substantially coextensive withbacking 31 and cover 32, although it can be of lesser size, if desired.

As seen in FIG. 9, backing 31 is fashioned with protrusions 40, whichproject outward therefrom and project through corresponding holes 41through spacer insert 35 and corresponding holes 42 through media insert30. Protrusions 40 function to hold spacer insert 35 and media insert 30in place. In the immediate embodiment, protrusions 40 constitute thedistal ends of pins, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 10 and denotedat 43, that project through backing 31. Protrusions 40 can be integrallyformed with backing 31 or perhaps adhesively applied to backing 31.Those of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that protrusions 40 canbe applied to backing 31 in other ways and with the use of any suitableattachment mechanism, such as with applied hook and loop fasteners, snapfasteners, threaded fasteners, etc. Although only two protrusions 40 aredepicted in FIG. 9, this is only for illustrative purposes, and it is beunderstood that more protrusions can be used with billboard 12, ifdesired, at various spaced-apart locations.

Turning back to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, assembly 10incorporates a fixture 50 and brackets 51, which function to securebillboard 12 to tailgate 11, in accordance with the principle of theinvention. As seen in FIG. 4, fixture 50 and brackets 51 hold billboard12 away from outer face 19 of tailgate 11, which prevents billboard 12from contacting outer face 19 and scratching it. And so billboard 12 issecured by fixture 50 and brackets 51, so as to be disposed alongsideand overlying or otherwise confronting outer face 19 of tailgate 11 andheld away from outer face of tailgate 11. Brackets 51 are disposed atspaced intervals. In the proper attachment of billboard 12, backing 31faces outer face 19 of tailgate 11 and cover 32 projects outwardly,permitting onlookers to visualize therethrough and appreciate theadvertisement indicia carried by media insert 30.

Fixture 50 is constructed of plastic, metal, metal composite or othersubstantially rigid material or combination of materials, and consistsof an elongate body 60 having opposing ends 61,62, a proximal extremity63, and a distal extremity 64. In the immediate preferred embodiment,the length of fixture 50 from end 61 to end 62 is approximately equal tothe length of tailgate 11 from side extremity 16 to side extremity 17.Depending on specific needs and on the length of billboard 12, thelength of fixture 50 can be less than the length of tailgate 11. In thepreferred embodiment disclosed herein, the length of fixture 50 is alsoapproximately equal to the length of billboard 12 from its side end 26to its other side end 27. The length of fixture 50 and the length ofbillboard 12 can be different, if desired.

Spaced-apart proximal, intermediate and distal endwalls 70, 71 and 72,respectively, are attached to and project downwardly from body 60, inwhich each extends from end 61 to end 62. Proximal endwall 70 isdisposed at and projects downwardly from proximal extremity 63, distalendwall 72 is disposed at and projects downwardly from distal extremity64, and intermediate endwall 71 projects downwardly from body 60 and isdisposed between proximal and distal endwalls 70,72. It is to beunderstood that proximal endwall 70 is disposed proximally and isconsidered part of, or otherwise an extension of, distal extremity 63.It will also be understood that distal endwall 72 is disposed distallyand is considered part of, or otherwise an extension of, distalextremity 64.

Proximal and intermediate endwalls 70,71 define a socket 75therebetween. In the attachment of fixture 50 to tailgate 11, upperextremity 14 of tailgate 11 fits in socket 75, in which proximal endwall70 is disposed alongside portions of inner face 18 of tailgate 11adjacent upper extremity 14, and intermediate endwall 71 is disposedalongside portions of outer face 19 of tailgate 11 adjacent upperextremity 14. Fixture 50 is secured in place to tailgate 11 withfasteners, such as threaded fasteners like the one illustrated in FIGS.5 and 8 and denoted at 76, although other fastener forms can be usedsuch as rivets, sex bolts, etc. Welding can also be used, or adhesiveattachment, if desired. In the immediate embodiment, threaded fasteners,such as threaded fastener 76, are employed at spaced intervals along thelength of proximal endwall 70, securing proximal endwall 70 to innerface 18 of tailgate 11. Fasteners can be disposed elsewhere alongfixture 50 so as to secure fixture 50 to tailgate 11, if desired. Whenfixture 50 is so installed with tailgate 11 and fit onto upper extremity14 of tailgate 11, proximal extremity 63 is engaged to and overliesupper extremity 14 of tailgate 11 and distal extremity 64 and distalendwall 72 project outboard of outer face 19 of tailgate, and thisarrangement is well illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5. Rather than usingfasteners 76 to secure fixture 50 to tailgate 11, fixture 50 can besecured to tailgate 11 with one or more brackets, straps, etc. Ratherthan using fasteners 76 to secure fixture 50 to tailgate 11, fixture 50can be secured to tailgate 11 with one or more brackets, straps, etc.

Upper extremity 24 of billboard 12 is secured to distal endwall 72 offixture 50. In the immediate embodiment, upper extremity 25 of billboard12 is secured to distal endwall 72 with fasteners, such as threadedfasteners like the one illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, and 8 and denoted at78, although other fastener forms can be used such as rivets, sex bolts,etc. In the immediate embodiment, threaded fasteners, such as threadedfastener 78, are employed at spaced intervals along the length of distalendwall 72, securing distal endwall 72 to backing 31.

As with conventional tailgates, tailgate 11 is hollow and has drainageholes that lead to the interior of tailgate 11. One such drainage holeis shown in FIG. 6 and denoted at 79. Drainage holes are disposed atspaced intervals at lower extremity 15 along the length of tailgate 11between ends 16,17 (not shown in FIG. 6) thereof.

As previously mentioned, lower extremity of billboard 12 is secured tobrackets 51 attached to lower extremity 15 of tailgate 11, one of whichis illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Bracket 51 is an assembly, whichconsists of a proximal bracket element 80, a distal bracket element 81,and a clip 82. Proximal bracket element 80 has an end 83 and an opposingfree end 84. End 83 is considered a proximal extremity of bracket 51 andis disposed inside tailgate and is secured to tailgate 11 with athreaded fastener 85, although a different fastener form can be used,such as a rivet, a sex bolt, etc. Proximal bracket element 80 extendsthrough drainage hole 79 and leads to free end 84, which is disposedbeneath lower extremity 15 of tailgate 11 and projects rearwardly.Distal bracket element 81 has an end 90 and an opposing free end 91. End90 is considered a distal extremity of bracket 51 that is disposed atlower extremity 15 of tailgate 11 outboard of outer face 19 and issecured to lower extremity 25 of billboard 12, and, more particularly,to backing 31, with a threaded fastener 92, although a differentfastener form can be used, such as a rivet, a sex bolt, etc. Distalbracket element 81 extends underneath lower extremity 15 of tailgate 11from end 90 and leads to free end 91, which is disposed beneath lowerextremity 15 of tailgate 11 and projects rearwardly and is disposedagainst free end 84 of proximal bracket element 80. Free ends 84 and 91are secured together with clip 82, although they can be secured togetherwith a threaded fastener, a rivet, a sex bolt, welding, etc. Becausebrackets 51 are substantially identical, the foregoing discussion of onebrackets 51 applies to each of brackets 51.

In the embodiment set forth in FIG. 1, four brackets 51 are used tosecure lower extremity 25 of billboard 12 to lower extremity 15 oftailgate 11. However, less or more brackets 51 can be employed, and onlyone can be used if desired.

Other bracket forms can be used to secure lower extremity 25 ofbillboard 12 to lower extremity 15 of tailgate 11, and another bracketembodiment is set forth in FIGS. 11 and 12 as a matter of example, whichis denoted at 100. Bracket 100 is an assembly, which consists of aproximal bracket element 101, and a distal bracket element 102. Proximalbracket element 101 is elongate, is disposed inside tailgate 11,overlies drainage hole 79 and rests against interior surfaces oftailgate 11. Distal bracket element 102 has an end 110 and an opposingfree end 111. End 110 is considered a distal extremity of bracket 100and free end 111 is considered a proximal extremity of bracket 100. End110 is disposed at lower extremity 15 of tailgate outboard of outer face19 and is secured to lower extremity 25 of billboard 12, and, moreparticularly, to backing 31, with a threaded fastener 112, although adifferent fastener form can be used, such as a rivet, a sex bolt, etc.Distal bracket element 102 extends underneath lower extremity 15 oftailgate 11 from end 110 and leads to free end 111, which is disposedbeneath lower extremity 15 of tailgate 11 opposite drainage hole 79 andprojects rearwardly. A threaded fastener 114, disposed through drainagehole 70, secures free end 111 to proximal bracket element 101, althougha different fastener form can be used such as a rivet, a sex bolt,welding, etc.

The bracket forms disclosed herein represent preferred bracketembodiments, as they function to exploit the drainage holes of tailgate11 and are easily installed without the need to drill holes throughportions of tailgate 11. Other ways of securing lower extremity 25 ofbillboard 12 to lower extremity 15 of tailgate 11 can be used, includingother bracket forms, without departing from the invention. Billboard 12can also be secured to side extremities 16,17 of tailgate 11 with anysuitable bracket form.

When billboard 12 is attached to tailgate 11 with fixture 50 andbrackets, such as brackets 51 or brackets 100 or by way of other bracketforms, as described herein, tailgate latch handle 20, which is depictedonly in FIG. 2, is obstructed and inaccessible. To permit tailgate latchhandle 20 to be used for opening tailgate 11, a fixture handle 120 isprovided, which has an outer end 121 and an inner end 122 pivoted to anattached support 123 of fixture 50 by way of a conventional pivotingjoint 124. Support 123 is formed with and considered part of fixture 50,and projects upwardly therefrom and functions as the supportingstructure for fixture handle 120. Fixture handle 120 is disposedcentrally between ends 61,62 of fixture 50 above tailgate latch handle20.

Fixture handle 120 is coupled to tailgate latch handle 20 with anattachment element, in which tailgate latch handle 20 pivots in responseto pivoting of fixture handle 120, allowing tailgate 11 to be opened andclosed in the normal fashion. In other words, the attachment elementthat couples fixture handle 120 to tailgate latch handle 20 transferspivotal movement of fixture handle 120 to tailgate latch handle 20, sothat tailgate latch handle 20 can be operated via fixture handle 120. Inthe embodiment set forth in FIG. 2, a cord 130 functions as theattachment element to couple fixture handle 120 to tailgate latch handle20, in which cord 130 has an end 131 secured to outer end 121 of fixturehandle 120 and an opposing end 132 secured to the tailgate latch handle22. End 131 is secured to outer end 121 of fixture handle 120 in anyconventional manner, such as with welding, adhesive, with one or morestaples, with one or more screws, etc. End 132 can be secured totailgate latch handle 22 in any conventional manner as with end 131 toouter end 121 of fixture handle 120. In the immediate embodiment, end132 is secured to tailgate latch handle 22 with a hook/clip 133, whichis affixed to end 132 and detachably engaged to tailgate latch handle20. Cord 130, which is fashioned of braided metal or fibrous strands,passes through a cavity 134 passing through support 123 and throughother portions of fixture 50, in which a portion of cord 130intermediate ends 131,132 is threaded over pulleys 135 attached androtated, in a conventional manner, to support 123 interiorly at cavity134. Pulleys 135 function to direct and orient cord 130 so that it isable to function in accordance with its intended purpose, namely, tofunction as a coupling between fixture handle 120 and tailgate latchhandle. Although two pulleys 135 are disclosed, less or more can beused. Although desirable, pulleys 135 can be omitted, if desired. Thecord arrangement disclosed herein is preferred for coupling fixturehandle 120 to tailgate latch handle 20 as it represents a simple,inexpensive and efficient structural arrangement. Consistent with thisdisclosure, fixture handle 120 can be coupled to tailgate latch handle20 in other ways so as to cause tailgate latch handle 20 to pivot inresponse to pivoting of fixture handle 120.

The provision of fixture 50 and one or more brackets disclosed herein asthe structural combination for securing billboard 12 to tailgate 11represents a simple and effective and exemplary arrangement for securingbillboard 12 to tailgate 11, in accordance with the principle of theinvention. Billboard 12 can be secured to tailgate 11 in other ways, ifso desired, so as to be arranged and disposed with tailgate 11 in themanner described in this specification. For instance, side extremities26,27 of billboard 12 can be secured to side extremities 16,17 oftailgate 11, such as with brackets or straps or screws or with otherfastener types. Billboard 12 can be secured to tailgate 11 at only itsupper extremity 24, such as with fixture 50 or with one or more bracketsor fasteners, etc. Billboard 12 can also be secured to tailgate 11 atonly its lower extremity 25, such as with brackets 51 and/or brackets100 or other bracket forms, or perhaps with screws and/or other fastenerforms. Although it is preferred that the attachment of billboard 12 totailgate occur at or adjacent its outer extremities, namely its upperand lower extremities 24,25 and its opposing side extremities 26,27, theattachment between billboard 12 and tailgate 11 can be made at otherlocations along the physical extent of billboard 12.

The present invention is described above with reference to a preferredembodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges and modifications may be made in the described embodimentwithout departing from the nature and scope of the present invention.For instance, any billboard form can be used with the invention inaccordance with the teachings set forth in this specification, whetherbillboard assemblies such as with the preferred billboard embodimentdisclosed herein, or a single billboard element, such as a sheet ofmaterial having advertisement indicia applied thereto. Furthermore,depicted in FIG. 1 is pole 140 having a proximal end 141 engaged tofixture 50 and a distal end 142 having a flag 143 attached thereto.Proximal end 141 extends through, and is secured by, a hole 144 (seealso FIG. 8) extending through body 60 of fixture 50 adjacent end 61.Pole 140 can be attached to fixture 50 at other locations and in otherways such as by threaded attachment or other selected male/femaleengagement structure, etc. The provision of the attachment of flag 143to fixture 50 with pole 140 is desirable as it provides a desireddecorative effect and functions to spark attention in onlookers so as todraw attention to the advertisement indicia of billboard 12. Flag 143can be furnished with advertisement indicia, if desired.

Turning to FIG. 13, a device 150 is illustrated for taking up slack in atailgate cable, such as tailgate cable 21 in FIGS. 1 and 2, foraccommodating the stretch that normally occurs over time in tailgatecables. Device 150 consists of variously positioned pins 152, which arecarried by a support element 151 that is to be attached at the sideextremity of a tailgate, such as side extremity 16 of tailgate 11 inFIG. 1. After device is attached, such as by one or more fasteners or byway of welding, etc., tailgate cable 21 is taken up and threaded throughpins 152 as in FIG. 13, so as to take up portions of tailgate cable 21.

Various further changes and modifications to the embodiment hereinchosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilledin the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do notdepart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to beincluded within the scope thereof.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms asto enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same,the invention claimed is:
 1. A tailgate advertising assembly comprising:a tailgate for attachment to a rear of a vehicle so as to be movedbetween a closed position and an open position as for loading andunloading, the tailgate having an upper extremity, a lower extremity,opposing side extremities, an inner face, and an outer face; a fixturehaving a proximal extremity engaged to the upper extremity of thetailgate and a distal extremity; engagement structure attached to thelower extremity of the tailgate; a billboard, overlying the outer faceof the tailgate, secured to the tailgate by the distal extremity of thefixture and the engagement structure; a tailgate latch handle pivoted tothe tailgate; a fixture handle pivoted to the fixture; and the fixturehandle coupled to the tailgate latch handle in which the tailgate latchhandle pivots in response to pivoting of the fixture handle.
 2. Thetailgate advertising assembly of claim 1, wherein the billboardcomprises a media insert captured by and between a rigid backing and atransparent cover.
 3. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 2,wherein the rigid backing and the transparent cover are substantiallycoextensive defining a perimeter having a frame attached thereto.
 4. Thetailgate advertising assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagementstructure comprises at least one bracket having a proximal extremityengaged to the lower extremity of the tailgate and a distal extremityengaged to the billboard.
 5. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim1, wherein the fixture handle is coupled to the tailgate latch handlewith a cord having a first end engaged to the fixture handle and asecond end engaged to the tailgate latch handle.
 6. The tailgateadvertising assembly of claim 5, further comprising a portion of thecord intermediate the first and second ends thereof threaded over atleast one attached pulley.
 7. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim1, wherein the billboard overlies substantially all of the outer face ofthe tailgate.
 8. The tailgate advertising assembly 1, further comprisinga pole having a proximal end engaged to the first engagement structureand a distal end having a flag attached thereto.
 9. A tailgateadvertising assembly comprising: a tailgate for attachment to a rear ofa vehicle so as to be moved between a closed position and an openposition as for loading and unloading, the tailgate having an upperextremity, a lower extremity, opposing side extremities, an inner face,and an outer face; first engagement structure attached to the upperextremity of the tailgate; second engagement structure attached to thelower extremity of the tailgate; a billboard, secured by the firstengagement structure and the second engagement structure, overlying theouter face of the tailgate; a tailgate latch handle pivoted to thetailgate; a fixture handle pivoted to the first engagement structure;and the fixture handle coupled to the tailgate latch handle in which thetailgate latch handle pivots in response to pivoting of the fixturehandle.
 10. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 9, wherein thebillboard comprises a media insert captured by and between a rigidbacking and a transparent cover.
 11. The tailgate advertising assemblyof claim 10, wherein the rigid backing and the transparent cover aresubstantially coextensive defining a perimeter having a frame attachedthereto.
 12. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 9, wherein thefirst engagement structure comprises a fixture having a proximalextremity engaged to the upper extremity of the tailgate and a distalextremity engaged to the billboard.
 13. The tailgate advertisingassembly of claim 9, wherein the second engagement structure comprisesat least one bracket having a proximal extremity engaged to the lowerextremity of the tailgate and a distal extremity engaged to thebillboard.
 14. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 9, wherein thefixture handle is coupled to the tailgate latch handle with a cordhaving a first end engaged to the fixture handle and a second endengaged to the tailgate latch handle.
 15. The tailgate advertisingassembly of claim 9, further comprising a portion of the cordintermediate the first and second ends thereof threaded over at leastone attached pulley.
 16. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 9,wherein the billboard overlies substantially all of the outer face ofthe tailgate.
 17. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 9, furthercomprising a pole having a proximal end engaged to the first engagementstructure and a distal end having a flag attached thereto.
 18. Atailgate advertising assembly comprising: a tailgate for attachment to arear of a vehicle so as to be moved between a closed position and anopen position as for loading and unloading, the tailgate having an upperextremity, a lower extremity, opposing side extremities, an inner face,an outer face, and a tailgate latch handle pivoted to the tailgate; afixture attached to the upper extremity of the tailgate; engagementstructure attached to the lower extremity of the tailgate; a billboard,secured by the fixture and the engagement structure, overlying the outerface of the tailgate; a fixture handle pivoted to the fixture; and thefixture handle coupled to the tailgate latch handle in which thetailgate latch handle pivots in response to pivoting of the fixturehandle.
 19. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 18, wherein thefixture handle is coupled to the tailgate latch handle with a cordhaving a first end engaged to the fixture handle and a second endengaged to the tailgate latch handle.
 20. The tailgate advertisingassembly of claim 19, further comprising a portion of the cordintermediate the first and second ends thereof threaded over at leastone attached pulley.
 21. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 18,wherein the billboard comprises a media insert captured by and between arigid backing and a transparent cover.
 22. The tailgate advertisingassembly of claim 21, wherein the rigid backing and the transparentcover are substantially coextensive defining a perimeter having a frameattached thereto.
 23. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 18,wherein the fixture has a proximal extremity engaged to the upperextremity of the tailgate and a distal extremity engaged to thebillboard.
 24. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 18, whereinthe engagement structure comprises at least one bracket having aproximal extremity engaged to the lower extremity of the tailgate and adistal extremity engaged to the billboard.
 25. The tailgate advertisingassembly of claim 18, wherein the billboard overlies substantially allof the outer face of the tailgate.
 26. The tailgate advertising assemblyof claim 18, further comprising a pole having a proximal end engaged tothe fixture and a distal end having a flag attached thereto.
 27. Atailgate advertising assembly comprising: a tailgate for attachment to arear of a vehicle so as to be moved between a closed position and anopen position as for loading and unloading, the tailgate having an upperextremity, a lower extremity, opposing side extremities, an inner face,and an outer face; a fixture having a proximal extremity engaged to andoverlying the upper extremity of the tailgate, and a distal extremityprojecting outboard of the outer face of the tailgate; at least onebracket having a proximal extremity engaged to the lower extremity ofthe tailgate and a distal extremity projecting outboard of the outerface of the tailgate; a billboard, having an upper extremity engaged tothe distal extremity of the fixture and an lower extremity engaged tothe distal extremity of the bracket, overlying the outer face of thetailgate; a tailgate latch handle pivoted to the tailgate; a fixturehandle pivoted to the fixture; and the fixture handle coupled to thetailgate latch handle in which the tailgate latch handle pivots inresponse to pivoting of the fixture handle.
 28. The tailgate advertisingassembly of claim 27, wherein the fixture handle is coupled to thetailgate latch handle with a cord having a first end engaged to thefixture handle and a second end engaged to the tailgate latch handle.29. The tailgate advertising assembly of claim 28, further comprising aportion of the cord intermediate the first and second ends thereofthreaded over at least one attached pulley.
 30. The advertising assemblyof claim 27, wherein the billboard comprises a media insert captured byand between a rigid backing and a transparent cover.
 31. The advertisingassembly of claim 30, wherein the rigid backing and the transparentcover are substantially coextensive defining a perimeter having a frameattached thereto.
 32. The advertising assembly of claim 27, furthercomprising a pole having a proximal end engaged to the fixture and adistal end having a flag attached thereto.
 33. An advertising assemblyfor a tailgate for attachment to a rear of a vehicle so as to be movedbetween a closed position and an open position as for loading andunloading, the tailgate having an upper extremity, a lower extremity,opposing side extremities, an inner face, an outer face, and a tailgatelatch handle pivoted thereto, the tailgate advertising assemblycomprising: a fixture having a proximal extremity adapted to overly andto be removably engaged to the upper extremity of the tailgate;engagement structure adapted to be removably engaged to the lowerextremity of the tailgate; a billboard having an upper extremity adaptedto be removably engaged to the fixture and a lower extremity adapted tobe removably engaged to the engagement structure, disposing thebillboard so as to overly the outer face of the tailgate; a fixturehandle pivoted to the fixture; and a cord having a first end engaged tothe fixture handle and an opposing second end adapted to be removablyengaged to the tailgate latch handle.
 34. The advertising assembly ofclaim 33, further comprising a portion of the cord between the first andsecond ends thereof adapted to be threaded over at least one pulleyattached to the fixture.
 35. The advertising assembly of claim 33,wherein the billboard comprises a media insert captured by and between arigid backing and a transparent cover.
 36. The advertising assembly ofclaim 35, wherein the rigid backing and the transparent cover aresubstantially coextensive defining a perimeter having a frame attachedthereto.
 37. The advertising assembly of claim 33, wherein theengagement structure comprises at least one bracket having a proximalextremity adapted to be removably engaged to the lower extremity of thetailgate and a distal extremity adapted to be removably engaged to thelower extremity of the billboard.
 38. The advertising assembly of claim33, further comprising a pole having a proximal end adapted to beremovably engaged to the fixture and a distal end having a flag attachedthereto.